The Knorr manufacturing facility in Independence, MO—located just 15 minutes east of downtown Kansas City—is a unionized, 24/7 operation. The Associate Manager, HR Business Partner serves as the primary on site HR contact and trusted partner to approximately 300 hourly team members and front line leaders.
This role plays a critical part in delivering a positive employee experience while ensuring fair, consistent, and compliant application of company policies and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Working closely with HR Operations and People Partner teams, the Associate Manager, HRBP supports employee relations, performance management, onboarding, engagement, and change initiatives in a fast paced manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Employee & Labor Relations
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee relations questions, concerns, and grievances.
• Fairly and consistently administer the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in a union environment.
• Support union negotiations and collective bargaining processes, including implementation of agreements.
• Conduct employee relations investigations, including interviews, documentation, corrective actions, and counseling.
• Promote a respectful, inclusive, and proactive employee relations environment.
Performance Management & Leader Support
• Coach and counsel hourly employees and front line leaders on performance, conduct, attendance, and policy matters.
• Support leaders through the performance management process, including feedback conversations and documentation.
• Provide guidance to supervisors on delivering effective feedback and corrective action in compliance with employment laws.
HR Operations & Compliance
• Act as a subject matter expert for HR policies, processes, and systems, partnering with centralized HR support teams as needed.
• Manage escalation of HR issues through resolution while maintaining clear communication with all stakeholders.
• Administer medical accommodation processes in alignment with company policy and federal and state regulations.
• Participate in affirmative action and compliance related activities.
Employee Engagement & Continuous Improvement
• Monitor employee engagement and climate indicators and identify opportunities to improve the employee experience.
• Partner with leaders to address people trends and implement practical, local solutions.
• Support continuous improvement of HR processes and ways of working at the site level.
Hiring, Onboarding & Projects
• Partner with recruitment on hourly hiring needs and support the end to end onboarding process.
• Coordinate onboarding activities with safety, operations, payroll, and benefits teams to ensure a smooth new hire experience.
• Lead or participate in local HR projects and initiatives from start to finish.
Qualifications
Required
• 5+ years of HR experience in a manufacturing or factory environment; union experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting employee relations investigations and handling grievances.
• Solid working knowledge of employment law and employee relations practices.
• Strong communication, judgment, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast paced environment.
Preferred
• Experience with Kronos timekeeping; UKG payroll and Workday or similar HR systems preferred.
Work Schedule
• Willingness to support off shift operations, including maintaining a stable schedule to support third shift team members.
• Flexibility to adjust schedule and travel as business needs require.
Pay: The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.
Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.
Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
------------------------------------
At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.
Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.
For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.
If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of HR experience
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field
- Experience conducting employee relations investigations
- Working knowledge of employment law
- Strong communication skills
- Experience with Kronos timekeeping, UKG payroll and Workday
Unilever Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Unilever and has not been reviewed or approved by Unilever.
-
Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and occupational health support alongside a 24/7 employee assistance program. Wellbeing offerings such as health checks, resilience tools, and counseling support the perceived depth of health-related benefits.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) match that reaches up to 5% of base salary, strengthening the overall value of the package. Share and savings options are also referenced as part of longer-term financial support beyond salary.
-
Flexible Benefits — Benefits customization is enabled through tools such as a “My Reward” system and a “Benefits Envelope” that allows employees to personalize selections. Flexible working approaches are also associated with improved overall satisfaction, reinforcing perceived choice and adaptability in the total rewards offering.
Unilever Insights
What We Do
Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Our portfolio ranges from nutritionally balanced foods to indulgent ice creams, affordable soaps, luxurious shampoos and everyday household care products. We produce world-leading brands including Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s and Omo, alongside trusted local names and innovative-forward thinking brands like Ben & Jerry’s, The Dollar Shave Club and Dermalogica. Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.
